Integrated Urban Development Plan of Dhulikhel Municipality 2019
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Government of Nepal Dhulikhel Municipality INTEGRATED URBAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF DHULIKHEL MUNICIPALITY Volume 7: Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan 2019 Submitted By: GOEC-GIDA-Next JV Kathmandu 1 | Page Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan Integrated Urban Development Plan of Dhulikhel Municipality 2019 Version: Version No. Author Checked by Date 1 (1st Draft) S. Paudel L. Peterson for Dhulikhel 26 August 2018 Municipality 2 (Consultation Draft) S. Paudel and L. L. Peterson for Dhulikhel 25 January 2019 Peterson Municipality 3 Final Draft S. Paudel and L. L. Peterson for Dhulikhel 12 March 2019 Peterson Municipality 4 Final Version Adopted by the 4th 9 April 2019 Assembly of Dhulikhel Muncipality The intellectual property contained in this document remains the property of GEOC-GIDA-Next JV. This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Dhulikhel Municipality, Nepal. It is subject to and issued in connection with the agreement of GEOC-GIDA-Next JV and Dhulikhel Municipality, Nepal. GEOC-GIDA-Next JV accepts no liability or responsibility for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party. 2 Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan Integrated Urban Development Plan of Dhulikhel Municipality 2019 Acknowledgements The Integrated Urban Development Plan for Dhulikhel Municipality has been developed in a true collaborative process between the Municipality and the consultants appointed to prepare the plan. The consultant team would like to thank Project Coordination Office and involved Planners, Engineers, Architects and other staff for their constant support, appreciation, valuable suggestions and comments during the process. The strategy would not be complete without the proper help of the Municipality. We would also like to thank the entire key informants for providing valuable information related to the municipality. Similarly, the consultant would also like to express its appreciation to all the officials of various government institutions for their cooperation during data collection. We are grateful to entire individuals who directly or indirectly helped us to prepare this field report and work on the field during data collection, analyzing, and workshop preparation. Finally, the project team would like to express thanks to all staffs and colleagues of GOEC-GIDA-Next for their support for this study. 3 Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan Integrated Urban Development Plan of Dhulikhel Municipality 2019 Executive Summary The Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP) for Dhulikhel is a strategic response to the 20-year growth of Dhulikhel Municipality, which brings together infrastructure provision, environmental management, economic growth, disaster preparedness, municipal service delivery and mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion. This “whole of Council” strategic plan will deliver on the long-term vision of Municipality: A prosperous, well governed and model town Dhulikhel based on culture, heritage, tourism and environmentally friendly sustainable development. The Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan forms part of the IUDP. Dhulikhel, with its outstanding heritage, natural beauty and strategic location in the Kathmandu Valley, is emerging as a tourist destination. There is a significant opportunity for the communities of Dhulikhel Municipality to harness the economic advantages that tourism provides. In order to maximise the opportunities for economic benefit of tourism, the private sector and the Municipality must work together. Individual tourism operators have a role to provide of high-quality sites, accommodation and experiences. The Municipality, as a land manager, regulator and promotor of economic development, has an important role in delivering infrastructure that supports tourism, supporting the wellbeing of communities and to ensure that developments respect the character and environment of the Municipality. Co-ordination between the private sector and local government is essential to maximise opportunities to improve tourism experiences and, as a result, the economic benefit across the Municipality. The Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan is a five-year plan which will, as it is implemented: ● Increase visitation rates ● Improve quality of visitor experience ● Provide livelihood opportunities for local communities ● Take action to sustainably manage and nurture tourism assets The Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan is grounded in the need to: ● Increase the length of stay of domestic and international tourists by expanding and diversifying tourism activities to enhance the quality of tourism services ● Develop and maintain physical infrastructure with a view to making tourism assets accessible ● Protect and conserve heritage and significant landscapes to sustain their ongoing use and appreciation ● Establish institutional mechanisms to co-ordinate and support business and organisations involved in tourist development and management. 4 Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan Integrated Urban Development Plan of Dhulikhel Municipality 2019 Considering the opportunities and challenges in Dhulikhel Municipality, the Tourism Development Plan is grounded in six major objectives to enhance tourism: ● To capitalize on Dhulikhel’s historic social and architectural cultural heritage ● To capitalise on the natural and scenic appeal of the municipality ● To leverage agriculture areas toward agro-based tourism ● To maximise nature-based adventure tourism ● To expand and improve the tourist accommodation offer across the Municipality ● To improve and maintain the tourism infrastructure ● To coordinate efforts of Human resources to work with tourism industry including marketing, and ensure delivery of actions Importantly, the Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Strategy (linked with the Dhulikhel Integrated Urban Development Plan) sets out an Action Plan which is to be implemented and supported by a Tourism Development and Marketing Officer and Tourism Development Committee and funding through the Financial Plan. 5 Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan Integrated Urban Development Plan of Dhulikhel Municipality 2019 The IUDP consists of the following Volumes: Volume 1 Background Report Volume 2 Physical Development Plan Volume 3 Land Use and Zoning Plan Volume 4 Social Development Plan Volume 5 Economic Development Plan Volume 6 Environment Management Plan Volume 7 Conservation, Culture and Tourism Plan Volume 8 Municipal Transport Management Plan Volume 9 Distaster Risk Reduction Plan Volume 10 Consolidated Implementation Plan Volume 11 Financial and Organisation Plan Volume 12 By-Laws Volume 13 Municipal profile Volume 14 Feasibility Study – Waterfall Construction in Ward 1 Volume 15 Pre-Feasibility Study – Artificial Lake in Wards 7 and 8 Volume 16 Feasibility Study – Walking Trail in Wards 7 and 8 6 Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan Integrated Urban Development Plan of Dhulikhel Municipality 2019 Table of Contents 1. Introduction 9 2. Destination Overview 9 3. Assessment of Dhulikhel’s Tourism Assets 10 3.1 Existing tourist attractions 10 3.2 Landscape 12 3.3 Adventure tourism 12 3.4 Agriculture tourism 13 3.5 Tangible and Intangible Heritage 13 3.6 Tourist accommodation 15 3.7 Dhulikhel Environment and Tourism Promotion Committee (DETPC) and Municipality Resources 16 3.8 Tourist Information Centre 17 4. Economic Impact 17 5. Major issues 17 6. Intervention/Strategies 18 6.1 Heritage 18 6.2 Landscape 19 6.3 Adventure tourism 20 6.4 Agro-based tourism 20 6.5 Tourist accommodation 20 6.6 Infrastructure 20 6.7 Human Resources and Marketing 21 7. Recommendations and Action Plan 21 7.1 Tourism Development Map 22 7.2 Future tourism places 22 7.3 Potential Trekking Routes 24 7.4 Potential Cycling Routes 25 7.5 Implementation Plan 27 7.6 Monitoring and Evaluation 31 7 Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan Integrated Urban Development Plan of Dhulikhel Municipality 2019 List of Figures: Figure 1: Existing Culture and Tourism Map – existing attractions 10 Figure 2:Typical heritage features in Dhulikhel 14 Figure 3:Examples of interpretive signage 19 Figure 4: Tourism Development Map 22 Figure 5: Recommeded cycling trails by Nepal Cycling Association, Kavre district 26 List of Table: Table 2: List of existing attractions 11 Table 3: Potential Tourism attractions 23 Table 4: Implementation Plan 31 8 Conservation, Culture and Tourism Development Plan Integrated Urban Development Plan of Dhulikhel Municipality 2019 Peaceful Dhulikhel – Prosperous Dhulikhel 1. Introduction The Municipality possesses a wide range of marketable assets which offer attractions for tourists. A pleasant climate, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, stability, friendly and hospitable people and diversity of natural settings from forests, ponds, rivers to hills and parks to broader dramatic landscapes combine to provide for significant potential for the development of tourism in Dhulikhel. Critically, proximity to Kathmandu offers the opportunity for tourists to visit for the day through extended periods. Tourism in Dhulikhel is one of the most important sectors of the economy but is under-realised. There are significant opportunities to grow tourism through specific actions that capitalise on the strengths of this culturally rich and beautiful destination. However, there are actions that can be undertaken to grow tourism in